Cruise Ships Dump 90% of Grey Water in BC
1.54 billion liters of grey water were generated by ships off the British Columbia coast in 2017 - the equivalent of more than 600 Olympic-size swimming pools, said a study.World Wildlife Fund Canada says cruise ships traveling between Washington state and Alaska are responsible for dumping "the vast majority" of the potentially toxic grey water that ends up off the B.C. coast each year.Cruise ships accounted for 1.37 billion (almost 90%) of the 1.54 billion liters of grey water generated off the B.C. coast in 2017, the study revealed.Grey water — the drainage from dishwater, galley sinks, and showers — may contain contaminants ranging from grease, oil and flame retardants to disinfectants, fecal coliform and micro-plastics, among other substances.
New WWF Guide Helps Mariners Steer Clear of Arctic Wildlife
A new WWF-Canada guide designed to help mariners in the eastern Arctic identify and avoid marine mammals is being unveiled at a Canadian Marine Advisory Council meeting in Montreal today. With summer sea ice on the decline and industrial pressures increasing, shipping traffic in the Canadian Arctic has steadily risen. This is especially true in the eastern Arctic and around the community of Pond Inlet and the Mary River iron ore mine. Ships servicing the Baffinland mining operation are increasing at a staggering pace…
WWF-Canada Brings Lawsuit Against Shell on Arctic
WWF-Canada, represented by Ecojustice lawyers, is taking legal action to quash Arctic oil and gas exploration permits that continue to obstruct conservation efforts in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut. The environmental group believes they “continue to obstruct conservation efforts” in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, which is said to be one of the world’s richest areas for marine mammal and harbours one of the highest densities of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic. While the federal registrar has refused to delist the permits, the lawsuit argues that Shell Canada’s permits for offshore oil and gas exploration in Lancaster Sound – issued more than 40 years ago – are expired and therefore invalid.
CSL, WWF-Canada Combat Climate Change
Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) signed a five-year agreement with World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) that aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the CSL fleet, and seeks ongoing solutions for improving the wider marine industry’s ecological footprint. Under the terms of the agreement, CSL will obtain expert advisory services from WWF-Canada as it adopts, develops and promotes energy efficiency and emission reduction initiatives while strengthening its leadership role in sustainable marine management. The scope of activities within the agreement is wide ranging with the specific goals outlined in a partnership work-plan that spans 2010-14.
